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{{Technology
  
{{Technology
 
| image = AC7 Tyler Island Mass Driver.png
  
| image = AC7 Tyler Island Mass Driver.png
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| caption = [[Tyler Island]]'s Mass Driver
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| caption = [[Tyler Island]]'s mass driver
 
| manufacturer = [[Osea]]
  
| manufacturer = [[Osea]]
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| function = [[Single-stage-to-orbit|SSTO]] launch
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| function = Catapult launch
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| creation = 2010s
  
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| operators = [[Osea]]<br>[[Erusea]]
  
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| deployment = [[Lighthouse War]]
  
 
}}
  
}}
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{{Quote|<nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Osea]] and [[Yuktobania]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> were building a 'bridge of peace' that would span into outer space. Not anymore.|[[Kei Nagase (AC5)|Kei Nagase]]<ref name="AC5-M06"/>}}
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{{Quote|I remember this Space Center well. The mass driver was built by Osea and Yuktobania as part of their collaborative efforts to construct an international space station. Our anti-war President used the surplus funds that came from cutting the defense budget to build it.|[[Kei Nagase (Ace Combat 5)|Kei Nagase]]}}The '''Mass Driver''' is an spacecraft launch system jointly developed by the [[Osean Federation]] and the [[Union of Yuktobanian Republics]]. It was built on the [[Basset Space Center]] in the southwestern area of Osea, some time in the aftermath of the [[Belkan War]], while another one was built on [[Tyler Island]] at some point following the [[Circum-Pacific War]]. It employs electromagnetic energy to propel spacecraft to orbit, essentially serving as a catapult.
  
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A '''mass driver''' is a catapult launch system powered by electromagnetic energy.{{Ref|AAW19-84|''[[Aces At War: A History 2019]]'', page 84.}} Mass drivers are mainly used to launch spacecraft into orbit,<ref name="AC5-M06">{{Cite game|AC5|M06}}</ref> though they can also be used to simply propel aircraft at high speeds or to launch massive aircraft.{{Refcall|AAW19-84}}{{Ref|AAW19-86-87|''[[Aces At War: A History 2019]]'', pages 86–87.}}<ref name="AC7-M17">{{Cite game|AC7|M17}}</ref> They are a key component in [[single-stage-to-orbit]] launches.<ref name="AC5-M06"/>
   
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Mass drivers in the ''[[Ace Combat]]'' franchise have only appeared in the [[Strangereal]] universe. The [[Osea|Osean Federation]] is the only country known to develop mass drivers, and only two are known to exist: one at [[Basset Space Center]] in Osea<ref name="AC5-M06"/> and one at [[Tyler Island]] on the [[Usea]]n continent.<ref name="AC7-M17"/>
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[[File:49.jpg|thumb]]
  
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==Design==
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[[File:Basset Space Center.png|thumb|250px|The mass driver at Basset Space Center]]
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Osea's mass drivers appear as bridge-like structures, each measuring {{convert|12|km}} in length.{{Refcall|AAW19-84}}{{Ref|AAW19-50|''[[Aces At War: A History 2019]]'', page 50.}} The start of the mass driver accelerates the vehicle through a series of checkpoints. The end of the launch ramp curves upward into the sky and allows the accelerated vehicle to gain altitude at a high velocity.<ref name="AC5-M06"/>
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While mass drivers are normally used for unmanned launches,<ref name="AC5-M06"/><ref name="AC7-M17"/> they can also safely launch vehicles carrying humans.{{Ref|Arkbird2008|[[Arkbird Declaration: Summit 2008]].}}
   
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The catapult appears as a bridge-like structure, the launch ramp curving upwards into the sky, having a length of 12 kilometers, or 7.5 miles. The large acceleration force generated by the launch procedure means that most vehicles launched from it are unmanned. However, in the case of [[Single Stage to Orbit]] craft, personnel transport is possible.
  
 
==History==
  
==History==
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===Basset Space Center===
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The mass driver was constructed jointly by [[Osea]] and [[Yuktobania]] after the normalization of relations in the aftermath of the [[Cold War]], with the objective of creating an international space station. A portion of the project's funding was provided by President [[Vincent Harling]], who used the money left after the postwar defense budget cuts.
  
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[[File:Fighters at Basset.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Wardog Squadron]] fighters flying near Basset's mass driver]]
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Osea formerly kept its development concept for a mass driver as a closely-guarded state secret. Following the [[Yuktobanian Peace Treaty]] in 1996, Osea's Aerospace Bureau and [[Yuktobania]]'s National Space Agency collaborated to build a mass driver at Basset Space Center.{{Refcall|Arkbird2008}} The project was considered to be the first step towards realizing an international space station,<ref name="AC5-M06"/> and the facility would also later support the [[Arkbird]].{{Refcall|Arkbird2008}} With the mass driver designed to run east-west, the space center was split in half: Osean facilities south of the mass driver; and Yuktobanian facilities, including its prioritized development area, to the north.{{Ref|October09|[[October 2009]].}}
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The mass driver was not completed until after the 2004 election of President [[Vincent Harling]], who redirected some military spending to go to the mass driver project.<ref name="AC5-M06"/> In August 2008, the Basset mass driver launched an SSTO craft carrying delegates and reporters from various countries to board the Arkbird for the [[G7 Summit]].{{Refcall|Arkbird2008}}
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In the early stages of the [[Circum-Pacific War]], President Harling directed the Arkbird to be used against Yuktobania's ''[[Scinfaxi]]''.<ref name="AC5-M08">{{Cite game|AC5|M08}}</ref> Basset Space Center prepared a laser module to be launched to the Arkbird via SSTO. [[Wardog Squadron]] launched from [[McNealy Air Force Base]] to defend the launch from a Yuktobanian attack. Despite Yuktobania's use of [[Tank|airborne tanks]] and [[cruise missile]]s to invade the facility and destroy the mass driver, respectively, the SSTO craft launched and docked with the Arkbird.<ref name="AC5-M06"/> The laser module was then used to sink the ''Scinfaxi''.<ref name="AC5-M07">{{Cite game|AC5|M07}}</ref>
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[[Nastasya Vasilievna Obertas]] revealed to [[Albert Genette]] that the Basset mass driver was sending shipments to space, even after [[Razgriz Squadron]] destroyed the Arkbird. She supposed that they were the [[Grey Men]] supplying the [[Strategic Orbital Linear Gun]].<ref name="AC5-Cut23">{{Cite game|AC5|Cut23}}</ref>
   
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===Tyler Island===
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In the early stages of the 2010 Circum-Pacific War, the Basset Center was attacked by the Yuktobanian army in an attempt to prevent the launch of an SSTO vehicle carrying supplies to the [[Arkbird]] spaceplane. The attack was foiled by the [[Wardog Squadron]]. Some time after the incident at Basset, the mass driver was used by the [[Grey Men]] to send supplies to the [[Strategic Orbital Linear Gun]].
  
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{{Stub}}
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[[File:Operation Feeding Time.jpg|thumb|250px|SSTO supply ships near Tyler Island's mass driver]]
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Sometime before 2019, a mass driver was also built on Tyler Island, Usea, by Osea to support the [[Arsenal Bird]]s protecting the [[ISEV]]. This mass driver was built at an IUN airbase, itself a former rocket launch facility for a federation of Usean nations.{{Refcall|AAW19-85}}
   
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Unlike the Basset Space Center however, Tyler Island's mass driver is solely intended for the launching of resupply ships to both Arsenal Birds.{{Ref|AAW19-85|''[[Aces At War: A History 2019]]'', page 85.}} In addition to resupply duties, Tyler Island was also the site of the construction and launch process for both Arsenal Birds. Launched via the mass driver, their extreme weight (100,000 tons when empty) necessitated the use of additional solid-fuel rocket boosters to provide the required propulsion.{{Refcall|AAW19-86-87}}
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<span class="spoiler">Sometime before 2019, a mass driver was also built on Tyler Island, Usea, by Osea to resupply the [[Arsenal Bird]]s protecting the [[ISEV]]. The last known use of the catapult was in the [[Lighthouse War]] where the Erusean radical faction launched SSTOs carrying Helios missiles for the last Arsenal Bird. Both vehicles were shot down by [[Trigger]].{{Ref|AC7-M17|[[Homeward]], ''[[Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown]]''.}}</span>
  
   
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The last known use of the catapult was in the [[Lighthouse War]] where the Erusean radical faction launched SSTOs carrying Helios missiles for the last Arsenal Bird. Both vehicles were shot down by [[Trigger]].{{Ref|AC7-M17|[[Homeward]], ''[[Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown]]''.}}
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{{Clear}}
 
==Trivia==
  
==Trivia==
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*A similar structure can be seen in [[Comona Islands]]. It is unknown whether this is another Mass Driver or not.
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*In ''[[Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy]]'', a similar structure can be seen in the [[Comona Islands]].{{Ref|AC:AHL-M17|"[[Toy Box (Legacy)|Toy Box]], ''[[Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy]]''.}} It is unknown whether this is another mass driver or not.
   
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{{reflist}}
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{{Reflist}}
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[[Category:Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War]]
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[[Category:Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown]]

Revision as of 13:21, 3 October 2019

"[Osea and Yuktobania] were building a 'bridge of peace' that would span into outer space. Not anymore."
― Kei Nagase[1]

A mass driver is a catapult launch system powered by electromagnetic energy.[2] Mass drivers are mainly used to launch spacecraft into orbit,[1] though they can also be used to simply propel aircraft at high speeds or to launch massive aircraft.[2][3][4] They are a key component in single-stage-to-orbit launches.[1]

Mass drivers in the Ace Combat franchise have only appeared in the Strangereal universe. The Osean Federation is the only country known to develop mass drivers, and only two are known to exist: one at Basset Space Center in Osea[1] and one at Tyler Island on the Usean continent.[4]

Design

Basset Space Center

The mass driver at Basset Space Center

Osea's mass drivers appear as bridge-like structures, each measuring 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) in length.[2][5] The start of the mass driver accelerates the vehicle through a series of checkpoints. The end of the launch ramp curves upward into the sky and allows the accelerated vehicle to gain altitude at a high velocity.[1]

While mass drivers are normally used for unmanned launches,[1][4] they can also safely launch vehicles carrying humans.[6]

History

Basset Space Center

Fighters at Basset

Wardog Squadron fighters flying near Basset's mass driver

Osea formerly kept its development concept for a mass driver as a closely-guarded state secret. Following the Yuktobanian Peace Treaty in 1996, Osea's Aerospace Bureau and Yuktobania's National Space Agency collaborated to build a mass driver at Basset Space Center.[6] The project was considered to be the first step towards realizing an international space station,[1] and the facility would also later support the Arkbird.[6] With the mass driver designed to run east-west, the space center was split in half: Osean facilities south of the mass driver; and Yuktobanian facilities, including its prioritized development area, to the north.[7]

The mass driver was not completed until after the 2004 election of President Vincent Harling, who redirected some military spending to go to the mass driver project.[1] In August 2008, the Basset mass driver launched an SSTO craft carrying delegates and reporters from various countries to board the Arkbird for the G7 Summit.[6]

In the early stages of the Circum-Pacific War, President Harling directed the Arkbird to be used against Yuktobania's Scinfaxi.[8] Basset Space Center prepared a laser module to be launched to the Arkbird via SSTO. Wardog Squadron launched from McNealy Air Force Base to defend the launch from a Yuktobanian attack. Despite Yuktobania's use of airborne tanks and cruise missiles to invade the facility and destroy the mass driver, respectively, the SSTO craft launched and docked with the Arkbird.[1] The laser module was then used to sink the Scinfaxi.[9]

Nastasya Vasilievna Obertas revealed to Albert Genette that the Basset mass driver was sending shipments to space, even after Razgriz Squadron destroyed the Arkbird. She supposed that they were the Grey Men supplying the Strategic Orbital Linear Gun.[10]

Tyler Island

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Operation Feeding Time

SSTO supply ships near Tyler Island's mass driver

Sometime before 2019, a mass driver was also built on Tyler Island, Usea, by Osea to support the Arsenal Birds protecting the ISEV. This mass driver was built at an IUN airbase, itself a former rocket launch facility for a federation of Usean nations.[11]

Unlike the Basset Space Center however, Tyler Island's mass driver is solely intended for the launching of resupply ships to both Arsenal Birds.[11] In addition to resupply duties, Tyler Island was also the site of the construction and launch process for both Arsenal Birds. Launched via the mass driver, their extreme weight (100,000 tons when empty) necessitated the use of additional solid-fuel rocket boosters to provide the required propulsion.[3]

The last known use of the catapult was in the Lighthouse War where the Erusean radical faction launched SSTOs carrying Helios missiles for the last Arsenal Bird. Both vehicles were shot down by Trigger.[4]

Trivia

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Mission 06: "White Bird (Part I)", Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Aces At War: A History 2019, page 84.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Aces At War: A History 2019, pages 86–87.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Mission 17: "Homeward", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "AC7-M17" defined multiple times with different content
  5. ↑ Aces At War: A History 2019, page 50.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Arkbird Declaration: Summit 2008.
  7. ↑ October 2009.
  8. ↑ Mission 08: "Handful of Hope", Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
  9. ↑ Mission 07: "Front Line", Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
  10. ↑ Scene 23: "Heartbreak One #2", Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Aces At War: A History 2019, page 85.
  12. ↑ "Toy Box, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy.
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